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1 The Process of Workplace Re-entry for Nurses with Substance Use Disorders: A Grounded Theory Study Deborah Matthias-Anderson, PhD (c), RN, CNE Doctoral Student, College of Nursing and Professional Disciplines Background Information 9-10 percent or more of the 2.7 million registered nurses working in the U.S. may meet diagnostic criteria for a substance use disorder (SUD) U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2012 SUDs as Chronic Diseases Gender Stigma about SUDs vs. Nursing s Image Gallup Poll: Americans Rate Nurses Highest on Honesty, Ethical Standards (2014) 1

2 Background Information Stressful work settings Nursing s relationship with narcotics: Access to addicting medications Knowledgeable about pharmacology In cultures that support medication use Nurses often start using opiates for legitimate reasons Nurses keep SUDs well hidden Better treatment outcomes for nurses (Bettinardi-Angres, Pickett, & Patrick, 2012) Alternative-to-discipline programs in most states Review of Literature: Nurses and Addictions Parallel Tracks: Research and scientific knowledge development about SUDs in general occurred parallel to Professional nursing organizations and state regulatory boards began to endorse alternative program development 2

3 Summary of Past Literature and Research about SUDs Among Nurses Early Research: Attitudes, risk factors, determining prevalence Research on Regulatory Monitoring Models: Alternative versus disciplinary (BON) programs MISSING: Work Re-entry Processes and experiences from the perspective of the individual nurse Purpose of Study To explicate a substantive theory /conceptual model that describes the basic social processes operating when a registered nurse re-enters the workplace after substance use disorder (SUD) treatment. 3

4 Research Questions for Study 1. What does a registered nurse experience in actualizing workplace re-entry after completion of SUD treatment? 2. What helped the register nurse re-enter the workplace after completion of SUD treatment? 3. What acted as barriers to the registered nurse s re-entry to the workplace after completion of SUD treatment? Significance of Study Contributes to filling a knowledge gap in the nursing literature related to work re-entry for nurses after SUD treatment Findings may suggest regulatory, educational, or employment strategies to support RNs: Before SUD treatment (education; earlier interventions) During SUD treatment (how best to support nurses) While in early recovery (nursing peer support) During work re-entry (monitoring) 4

5 Qualitative Research Methodology: Grounded Theory Approach Inductive method of qualitative research resulting in model or theory development that is grounded in data Good fit when little is known about a topic 40+ year history of use in the social sciences and nursing Strauss & Corbin (1990, 1998) approach used in study Strauss was an original developers of GT, with Glaser (Glaser & Strauss, 1967) Corbin is a nurse scholar Study Participants Sample Size Minimum of 20 in GT (Morse, 2007) Study sample size: N = 22 Saturation Human subject considerations: Waiver of Signed Consent Risks / Benefits 5

6 Inclusion / Exclusion Criteria Inclusion: Current RN license to practice nursing Completion of minimum of one (1) SUD treatment at a state licensed or approved treatment facility Has re-entered workplace at the professional level of entry requiring RN license Exclusion: Current suspended or revoked RN license Self-identifies as having SUD but has not completed SUD treatment from state licensed treatment facility Never employed following SUD treatment in a nursing work setting at RN level Maximum Variation Sampling Gender Age Educational Degrees in Nursing Differences in Nursing Practice Settings Number of SUD treatments Number of Relapses Alternative Program Involvement: Completed (versus) Currently Monitored 6

7 Data Collection Procedures Face to face and phone interviews: Demographic information Questions added after pilot interviews: Co-current medical conditions / history of abuse/trauma added Nursing leadership experience Semi-structured interview guide Focus on the 3 research questions Other Data Sources Memos, reflexive journaling Additional interviews: Nurse leaders / managers, BON staff, alternative program staff, and lawyers Frequent return to the literature Diagram development and writing (dissertation drafts) 7

8 Data Analysis: Constant Comparative Analysis Role of Context Recruitment Issues: Publicity in Minnesota media coincided with beginning of study and became unexpected contextual data and a frequently discussed topic by study participants from Minnesota Five-part series of special reports about the oversight of nurses by the MN BON; front page Sunday edition on SUD in nurses (11/4/13) MN Legislative Hearings Held Nurses accused of drug-related misconduct and other nursing practice violations Changes to State Statutes re: BON oversight and alternative program monitoring protocols 8

9 Recruitment: (Evidence of Snowballing) Demographic Characteristics (N = 22) Age* (years) % n *(Mean Age = 48.6 yrs) Gender Female Male Race/Ethnicity (self-identified) Caucasian Bi-racial Hispanic Native American Median age of RNs nationally = 46 years (US Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2012) RNs in US are 91% female (US Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2012) CRNAs are 41.1% male (US Department of Health and Human Services, 2010) 83.3% of RNs in US are Caucasian (US Department of Health and Human Services, 2010) 9

10 Education, Length of Time as Nurse, Current RN Employment, and Leadership Role as a Percentage of the Sample Length of Time as RN (years) (female) (male) % (3) % (8) 25% (1) % (7) 75% (3) Currently Employed as RN Yes 83.3% (15) 100% (4) No 16.7% (3) 0 Management or Leadership Experience Yes 72.2% (13) 100% No 27.8% (5) 0 Educational Degrees Obtained Degree Level Female (n=18) Male (n=4) Associate s 27.8% (5) 25% (1) Bachelor s 38.9% (7) 0 Master s 33.3% (6 ) 50% (2) Doctorate 0 25% (1) Participant Identified Nursing Specialty at Time of Interview Number Leadership/Administration 4 Anesthesia 4 Maternal/Child 3 Trauma/ED 3 Medical-Surgical 3 Critical Care/ICU 2 Hospice 1 Geriatrics 1 Home Care 1 Specialty Areas in Nursing 10

11 Findings: Drug(s) of Choice Participant Identified Drug(s) of Choice Drug (single) % n Alcohol Opiates 41 9 Cocaine Methamphetamine Combination Alcohol/Benzodiazepines Alcohol/Opiates Alcohol/THC Methamphetamine/Cocaine Current Length of Sobriety and Number of Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Treatments Length of Sobriety (years) % n Chose not to disclose Number of SUD Treatments Note: Mean number of SUD treatments = 2.2. SUD state approved or licensed treatment facility. 11

12 Findings: Participant Self Disclosed Pre-Existing Medical Conditions or History of Trauma / Abuse Self Disclosed Medical Conditions or Trauma History (n=22) Present (n=19) % n Chronic Pain Headaches Insomnia/Sleep Related Condition Physical Condition (unspecified) Mental Health Disorder (Depression, Anxiety, PTSD, ADHD) Childhood Trauma / Abuse Combination of Childhood Abuse / PTSD & ADHD Absent or not disclosed Findings: State Licensure by Region Licensure States of Participants by Region of U.S. Region % n Midwest Southeast Southwest Note. This table depicts the primary region of licensure; 4 participants held licenses in more than one state or region. Note. This table depicts the primary region of licensure; participants held licenses in more than one state or region. 12

13 State Alternative Program Involvement State Alternative program participation (N = 19) Participation in alternative program by # of states involved % n One State More than one state 21 4 Alternative program monitoring status at time of study Currently being monitored Completed monitoring successfully The remaining 3 participants either had treatment prior to development of alternative programs in a state or were licensed in states where there were no alternative programs (in some cases the state BON monitored the nurse) Coding Led to Development of Two Axial and Theoretical Models Axial Coding Open Coding Selective Coding Unsuccessful Work Re-entry > 8 of the 22 participants experienced unsuccessful work re-entry prior to going back to work successfully Successful Work Re-entry Coding Strategies in the Strauss & Corbin Grounded Theory (1990, 1998) Approach 13

14 Findings: Axial Coding Diagram for Unsuccessful Work Re-entry Context Diagnosed with Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Completed SUD treatment (sometimes more than once) Taught about recovery strategies Works in a variety of nursing practice settings Healthcare worksite culture views nurses as disposable, disempowering the nurse with SUD Board of Nursing retains legal and regulatory power, Legal and/or financial limitations and consequences Healthcare providers uneducated and discriminatory about SUDs Healthcare environment is perceived as stigmatizing Antecedents Resists BON and worksite mandates Returns to high acuity work setting (upon work re-entry) Minimal time between SUD treatment completion and work re-entry Has insufficient or ineffective relational processes and support Manages pre-existing medical conditions poorly Lacks confidence in self (personally and professionally) related to shaken view of selfidentity Phenomenon (Core Variable): Lacking Self-Redefinition I want to get back to my normal life Strategies Keeps SUD status a secret from many (especially at work) Fights to retain former view of self Gives minimal or no attention to recovery strategies Approaches work return to high stress/high acuity practice settings without examination of its effect on self Intervening Conditions Internalizes shame of violating personal and professional moral code Does not internalize need for recovery strategies Reluctant to share recovery status with work colleagues Reluctant to engage with family or environmental/recovery support systems Perceives healthcare environment as hostile and/or non-supportive Puts the need to work before personal health / maintenance of recovery Consequence/ Outcomes Relapses or slips Resists accountability with mandated protocols from BON, alternative program, or workplace Receives minimal to no support at work (often because colleagues do not knowing about SUD diagnosis) Unsuccessful work reentry Findings: Axial Coding Diagram for Successful Work Re-entry Context Diagnosed with substance use disorder (SUD) Completed SUD treatment (sometimes more than once) Learns about recovery strategies Works in a variety of nursing practice settings Healthcare worksite culture views nurses as disposable, disempowering the nurse with SUD Board of Nursing retains legal and regulatory power Legal and/or financial limitations and consequences Healthcare providers uneducated and discriminatory about SUDs Healthcare environment is experienced as stigmatizing Antecedents Uses recovery strategies learned in treatment Develops healthy relational processes and support Complies with BON and worksite mandates Adheres to an aftercare treatment plan Crosses paths with turning point person(s) Manages medical preconditions well Retains strong identity / connection to nursing role Takes adequate time to solidify recovery Phenomenon (Core Variable): Self-Redefinition ( I m not the same person ) Strategies Acknowledges self as addict, characterized by being open and honest Alters personal perceptions Integrates new coping behaviors by keeping primary focus on one s behaviors in recovery Maintains support system within recovery Re-evaluates career trajectory and re-tools for possible job change within nursing Gives back to others (service) which supports normalization Consequence/ Outcomes Examines consequences and learns from slips or relapses Regains recovery status quickly after slips Becomes a work resource (re: SUDs) Maintains boundaries and accountability as mandated by BON, alternative program, or workplace Re-enters the work setting successfully Intervening Conditions Effectively engages in treatment (often multiple levels of treatment for ample lengths of time) Able & willing to use a variety of recovery strategies and accept family support Openly shares recovery status with select work colleagues Finds a supportive work environment after treatment Faces and learns from legal consequences Makes decisions about work that puts recovery first 14

15 GERUNDS DIAGRAM Findings (Questions 2 & 3 to be covered first) Research Question 2: What helped the RN re-enter the workplace after SUD treatment? External Facilitators: Multiple levels of aftercare: Put recovery first Crossing paths with turning point people Recovery support (12-step programs, therapy, etc.) Learning and setting healthy boundaries: at work and beyond Re-evaluation of professional career trajectory Positive encounters with state BON & alternative programs Number one is put recovery first. That is absolutely the prime objective of the thing, because the minute that it s not, you re going to lose the job, you re going to lose whatever you managed to hold onto, and it s just going to be gone. That is the absolute first thing. --Participant quote 15

16 Findings (Questions 2 & 3 to be covered first) Research Question 2: What helped the RN re-enter the workplace after SUD treatment? Internal Facilitators: Nursing pride and spiritual strength Strong professional nursing identity Accepting of self as addict Accepting of disease concept of SUD Valuing healthy self-care strategies Honesty with others Enhanced accountability due to monitoring mandates My career as a nurse is one of those things that gives me purpose and value. Nursing was more than just what I did. It really was a big part of my identity it was also a source of great pride for me. I love what I do I never thought I wasn t going to go back to it. I guess it really is a part of my identity. (Nursing) is the only thing I ever wanted to do and I really love it --Participant quotes Findings Research Question 3: What acted as barriers to the RN s reentry to the workplace after SUD treatment? External Barriers: Lack of education about SUDs Discrimination in work settings Financial stressors (numerous!) Lengthy wait-time for BON investigations and decisions Difficulty finding nursing employment Returning to work before sound recovery was in place Drug(s) of choice Co-morbid medical conditions and/or history of trauma/abuse Ironically, the very profession that is supposed to be about healing and caring (nursing) doesn t get the disease concept. --Participant quote 16

17 Findings Research Question 3: What acted as barriers to the RN s reentry to the workplace after SUD treatment? Internal Barriers: Stigma Shame Fear Nurses aren t disposable. I think our profession needs to understand that and do everything they can to intervene with someone who s got a problem as soon as possible, and do it compassionately, lovingly, without the punishment, and without the shame. --Participant quote Findings Research Question 1: What does a registered nurse experience in actualizing workplace re-entry after SUD treatment? Re-defining personal identity Perseverance Honesty with self Hope Professional identity change Balancing personal and professional identities [First you must be] accepting of yourself as who you are in the [SUD] disease process and then deal with the professional, because the professional is not the biggest aspect; it s who you are and whether or not you re willing to change that is going to affect the professional part. Because, if you don t change, [the professional nursing part] doesn t matter. --Participant quote 17

18 THEORETICAL MODEL: UNSUCCESSFUL WORK RE-ENTRY THEORETICAL MODEL: SUCCESSFUL WORK RE-ENTRY 18

19 Limitations of the Study Homogeneity of participants by: Geographic area Co-morbid conditions Self-selection of participants Only nurses with SUD treatment completion and work re-entry experience were studied All participants were ultimately successful with return to work (and sobriety/recovery) Not generalizable to other situations Study Implications Education, Education, Education Nurse managers / supervisors / worksite monitors Staff development/continuing education Nursing Education curricula on topic needed for use in nursing education programs at every level in the academic settings 19

20 Study Implications Nursing Regulation and Policy Lengthy wait time for BONs to make decisions Differences in alternative programs and BON policies among states `````````````````````````````````````` SUD Treatment Services Lack of clarity about evidence on which nurses are treated for SUDs Recommendations & Future Research Nurses with SUDs Nurses who choose not to return to work Study related concepts of stigma, shame, self-efficacy, resilience, social support, selfcare, etc. Link between co-morbid conditions & SUDs Length of time taken off before work re-entry Professional nursing identity and its role in recovery and work re-entry Nursing peer support: Impact? Effectiveness? Best strategies? 20

21 Recommendations & Future Research Alternative program and B.O.N. differences National studies needed regarding regulation(s) Curricula for colleges/universities and education departments in healthcare systems National study of SUD treatment facilities with nurses and/or health professional tracks Healthcare system policies related to work re-entry of nurses and other healthcare professionals with SUDs NEEDED: National dissemination of research findings and information to expand body of literature on these topics! Acknowledgements National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) CRE Grant R70011 funded this study Nancy Darbro, PhD, RN, CNS, former executive director of the New Mexico Board of Nursing, NCSBN grant consultant Eleanor Yurkovich, EdD, RN, FAAN, professor emeritus, methods advisor, College of Nursing and Professional Disciplines, University of North Dakota Glenda Lindseth, PhD, RN, CNS, FADA, FAAN, doctoral committee chair, College of Nursing and Professional Disciplines, University of North Dakota Tracy Evanson, PhD, RN, APHN-BC, University of North Dakota, faculty advisor, College of Nursing and Professional Disciplines, University of North Dakota Special thanks to the 22 RN participants who courageously shared their stories of recovery and work re-entry after SUD treatment 21

22 References Bettinardi-Angres, K., Pickett, J., & Patrick, D. (2012). Substance use disorders and accessing alternativeto-discipline programs. Journal of Nursing Regulation, 3(2), Glaser, B.G., & Strauss, A.L. (1967). The discovery of grounded theory: Strategies for qualitative research. New York: Aldine de Gruyter. Heath, H., & Cowley, S. (2004). Developing a grounded theory approach: A comparison of Glaser and Strauss. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 41, doi: /S (03) Morse, J.M. (2007). Sampling in grounded theory. In A. Bryant & K. Charmaz (Eds.), The SAGE handbook of grounded theory (pp ). Los Angeles: SAGE. Strauss, A., & Corbin, J. (1990). Basics of qualitative research: Grounded theory procedures and techniques. Newbury Park, CA: SAGE Publications. Strauss, A., & Corbin, J. (1998). Basics of qualitative research: Techniques and procedures for developing grounded theory. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications. U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics (2012). Registered Nurses: Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved from Audience Discussion & Questions 22